Creche Crisis

We have talked about the need of a new Crèche home. We now find ourselves in a situation today that brings our previous need for a new home to whole new urgency. As we were preparing for church yesterday morning we had a phone call from Solange, the director of the crèche. She told us that the ceiling on the second floor porch, in the babies' area, had fallen down. The babies were at home getting dressed for church but none were on the porch at that time. Cindy, Vance and I went over to look at the situation. About a six foot diameter section of the ceiling fell on the porch where our babies always play. As I was checking out the damage and poking on the other ceilings I found that two of the other rooms, in which the babies sleep, could fall at anytime. So the only option we had was to move the 12 babies into our home with the 4 we are already taking care of, and do it without delay. We had to move all of our family's belongings into our bedroom and into the storage room to make space for them. So what was once our living room is now the baby's bedroom and the sitting room is now their play area. Now we have 18 children and 8 adults living in our 3 bedroom home. Along with this we have 7 day staff and 3 night staff that will be in and out of our home. We do not know what the Father's plan is. We hear about the economy in America, with our ears, but we know in our heart and in our spirit that God's economy, Father's kingdom, has not fallen. For twelve years he has provided for us here. We do not know how Father is going to provide at this time. We do know, however, that we are able, by His hand, to feed over 700 meals per weekday (400 on weekends), and pay 62 staff members per month, while taking care of a family of 97 every day; everything from schooling and health needs to clothing and food. We constantly sit in amazement at the goodness of Father's promises for those who obey Him. We do not know where the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed for our children will come from, but we do know that it is out there, already prepared for us by the Father. You may not be able to financially give at this moment, but we do not have one supporter that is not able to get down on their knees and go before the Father in prayer. God is not taken by surprise nor is He ever late in providing what His children need, we just know that our family includes you, your love, your prayers, and your support.

An Addition and Update

Donaldson Cadet, born July 27, 2008, came to the creche on Jan. 24th. His mother died eleven days prior to his coming. He is healthly though. His father just did not want him to die. He has 3 siblings. The father said that the mother was cooking a meal for them and then, all of a sudden, feeling weak, went to lay down and died. In haiti, we cannot tell you the cause of death. This boy sure is a double fingers sucker. We are thinking about changing his name to Anthony. He does not have a birth certificate yet.

Here is a picture of Marc. You see that he has put on ten pounds in two weeks. Praise the Lord!

Here is a picture of Thomas. He is doing so well!

A New Boy

We have a new boy; his name is Estephea Pierrevil. He was dropped off by his mother at a market downtown with a badly burnt hand and arm. Pastor Andy went downtown and saw him there. He brought him to us and then went looking for relative and found the mother. She says that he was born September 2, 2007, but we find it hard to believe that he is that young according to as many teeths he has. He eats, walks and play very well. He was so dirty; oh my, was he dirty. We had to give him a bath, and you wouldn't believe how much dirt came off of him. They say he is the youngest of 3 (one brother and one sister older) and that his father is unknown. He is so cute (as they all are) and loves Daniel. The last photo is his arm after cleanup. Alot of his skin peeled away.

Christmas in Haiti

Christmas was so successful in Haiti! Santa came to see the good children in Haiti. A group from Kansas brought enough gifts for each of our children to have three gifts apiece and also to help fill a toybox for each of the homes. Toyboxes were built by Nolan and John. It is exciting to see toyboxs full of toys. It was exciting to see smiles on these children's faces. I cannot express the smiles.
the boys home

the Creche

the group

See how much Marc has grown in 25 days...

Christmas Week Update

We had three new girls arrive from Pastor Andy's home town. As you can see they are very malnourshished. From left to right is Jedina (3), Vernelia (5), and Soumene Jules (8). Vernelia and Soumene are sisters while Jedina is a cousin to the girls. They have more siblings but Andy was not able to bring them. They do have both a mother and father. The next picture is of Soumene, the 8-year-old.


Check out how happy baby Marclove is after being with us for eleven days. He is smiling, eating more and finally drinking out of his sippy cup. Praise God!


Here are the pictures of the new ,18-days-old, twins, Thomas (is the first) and Tasha. They were not yet named, so we had the privilage of naming them. They're mother died from an infection a few days after giving birth. We were not able to get them in a picture together because we took Tasha to the hospital right away. As you can see, she was very, very sick. She was only with us for a very short time, but we still loved her. Most of you already know, we lost Tasha on December 28, 2008. Please keep the mission family in your prayers. We are hurting for our loss but still moving foward in Father!

We will always love you, Tasha!

Creche Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas from all of us here at LFM and our friends and family in Haiti!

This is the christmas tree that Hanna, Guerry, and I painted on a wall at the creche.

Update

This is Marclove after having him for two days now. You can see a big change in him. He is now eating, but we still have to give him liquid through a syringe. He doesn't know how to sip out of a baby cup. He has been crawling, which is really good for him in this condition.

Daniel and willy took a hike up to the top of the mountains, overseeing Port-de-Paix. They had a lot of fun.

A Day in Haiti

We have a new boy. His name is MarcLove Jean. He was born July 26, 2007. His mother died and he has one brother who is not with us. We took him immediately to the doctor and he has been tested and x-rayed and has Tuberocloius (TB). His father was looking for someone to help him because he knew that his son was sick. So a neighborhood boy brought him to us. The father cried as he gave up his son. That is unusual for fathers in Haiti. Marc will be going to the doctor once a month for treatment at the hospital. He is living with us in our home for the time being, especially with a lack of space and so many babies at the Creche. I will be able to keep a close eye on him and give him the caring, personal attentioin that he needs.

This is Mackenda (Lydia), being adopted by Natalie and Chris Lewis, with a cotton cast on her arm. Last night she was playing inside and one of the boys knocked her down. She fell and landed on her elbow. We took her to La Pointe (the local children's hospital) to have x-rays and found out that she pretty much dislocated it at the socket. They pulled on her arm to relocate it in place, and she now has a soft cast on for a while. Just pray for healing and for the new boy too with TB.

Adoptions!

Praise the Lord! John's adoption is finalized! He has gone home to his new family on November 29th. His new parents, Rob and Margo Sutton of Indpls., Indiana, have reported that John is doing well and enjoying the white snow. We miss him dearly after having him as part of our family for three years. We love you, John and miss you! Rob and Margo has just started the adoption process for baby Davinson, which he is still in Haiti at the adoption home with mama Solange.

Franson and Leopaul Adelson have gone home to their new family in Stapleton, Alamaba. Leopaul got his visa to leave with his father, Chris Lewis, on Nov. 29th, while Franson, being 15 years old, had to wait a few more days. Franson went home on Dec. 3rd. These boys have been with us for six years and became a big part of our family. As Daniel would say, Franson has always been his shadow. The Lewis family is still waiting on the visa appt. for their daughter Jasmina, as it can happen anytime now. We are going to miss these boys very much! We love you boys! And will see you soon.

The Boys Roof and New Kids

The roof is finished!!!! Praise the Lord. Thanks you Dwayne, Tommy, Mark and Markus.


Youseline Tima is 12 years old and her two little brothers, Josue Saint Phar is 22 months old and baby Daniel Saint Phar is 8 months old. They are well as far as develomental but they are so malnurished and very hungry. Youseline has not had a father since she was born. The boys have a different father than their sister. There were four children but the mother wanted to keep one to have something to hold on to. We ask the mother if we were to provide provision for them if she would keep them all but she responded that she just could not care for four children by herself. Josue can walk, and Daniel is sitting up well. The mother had a very hard time with leaving them.

This is Lorvenson Pierre Louis. He is three years old and came from Gonaives. He was brought by his grandmother. They lost everything in Hurricane Ike. The flood washed all their birth certificates and such away. His mother died giving birth. His father is unknown. Lorvenson was so hungry since he had not eaten in days. When we give him food, he stuffs his mouth so full with still so much fear of starvation.